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The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs (Read 1346 times)
whiteknight
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The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:00pm
 
Driver who couldn't read road signs blames GPS for deadly crash   Sad

March 25, 2019
The Age


It was Boxing Day, 2017. George Hullo was taking the back roads behind the Great Ocean Road, bound for his favourite fishing spot near the seaside town of Lorne.

After the 52-year-old packed his aged Ford Laser with fishing and diving gear, he headed along Birregurra-Forrest Road, through Birregurra, like he had many times before.


On the same morning, Chinese national Yadong Pan was also headed for the beach, making the hour-long drive with friends from Colac to Lorne in his Toyota Camry.

Pan, who had been living in Australia for seven months, fixed his cruise control to 98km/h and was following his GPS.


But the 28-year-old couldn’t read all the road signs written in English.

Unlike Mr Hullo, Pan was not familiar with the back route to Lorne. The inland road is a slightly faster, more direct route than the winding Great Ocean Road, but it’s more often used by locals who know its undulating hills and dicey history.

Both drivers reached the intersection of Birregurra-Forrest and Colac-Lorne roads just before 11am.

But Pan did not stop. He careered through the crossroad - straight past a stop sign - and at nearly 100km/h collided with the Ford.   Shocked

Mr Hullo did not survive the impact. His car was left unrecognisable.


Mr Hullo’s brother Steve was celebrating Christmas with his partner’s family on Boxing Day when he received a call with the devastating news.

“I can’t help think of all the things I want to tell George, all the conversations I want to have," he would tell Victoria’s County Court.

“Our dreams of growing old together as brothers are all gone."

Pan’s rear seat passenger, 39-year-old Xiao Yan Yu, suffered multiple fractures to her spine and critical internal injuries.   Sad

She had to be cut free from the crumbled Toyota Camry and flown to The Alfred hospital.

Fifteen months on she is still unable to work, with no foreseeable change.

On Monday, Pan was sentenced to three years and four months jail for dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing serious injury.


Pan must serve at least two years in prison before being eligible for parole. He is likely to be deported upon his release.

Pan told the court he did not know that the “rumble strips” on Colac-Lorne Road approaching the intersection served as a warning and were a signal for drivers to slow down.

In China, those rumble strips signal an upcoming slope in the road, he said through an interpreter.

“I looked at my GPS and it didn’t show anything. The GPS gave me the impression I was on the main road.”

Pan was in Australia on a four-year 457 work visa that allowed him to live in Colac and work at the local lamb slaughterhouse.

He’d obtained an international driver’s licence in Hong Kong shortly before heading to Australia.

According to VicRoads, foreign nationals on temporary visas can drive in Victoria without ever obtaining a Victorian driver’s licence.

But those on permanent visas have to undergo and pass an Australian driving test within six months to continue to legally drive.

The process is currently under review.

Pan’s barrister Bradley Newton argued that because others had gone through the same intersection without stopping it reduced his client’s moral culpability.


Problematic intersection. Chinese signage was erected earlier this year.

Just hours before Pan's crash, on Christmas Eve, another foreign driver had been travelling through the same four way intersection when they collided with a car carrying a mother and her 12-year-old daughter from Glen Huntly. The pair sustained serious injuries and both had to be flown to specialist Melbourne hospitals and just days later another two vehicles crashed.

“This is a gentleman who has a very limited experience of driving in Australia,” Mr Newton said.

“He’s discussed with me the various differences to his experience driving in China.”

In a statement submitted to the court, Pan apologised to his victim’s families.

He said he often thinks about the scene before the crash and can still recall the shrieks of his injured passenger.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge each of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing serious injury.

“There is no way I can forgive myself. We can never go back to the life like before.”

Judge Gerard Mullaly raised serious concerns over Pan’s eligibility to drive.


GPS guides drivers to horror intersection which has claimed and changed lives in country Victoria.

“They’re able to drive with no capacity to read rumble strips and signs with their Google maps in Chinese,” Judge Mullaly said.

“That’s concerning.”

In sentencing Pan, Judge Mullaly said his crimes warranted time in jail.

“It was a completely avoidable tragedy,'' he said.

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greggerypeccary
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #1 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:05pm
 
...
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Grappler Truth Teller Feller
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #2 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:07pm
 
Which one?  None of the bastards can read road signs..... speed limits are recommended possibles only.... got the school up the road here - last week driving through at 40 kph time -
BIG RED FLASHING LIGHTS
... and the pr1ck with QLD plates behind me was waving at me to drive faster than 40...  'get going, you silly old dick' gesture ... I waved back... kept on at 40 ...

Ain't he lucky I don't have my ages-old quick temper?  Once upon a time I'd have stopped dead and shown him the real meaning of road rage... can't wait to not have to drive that damned highway several times a week.  New house - everything five minutes away.
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« Last Edit: Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:13pm by Grappler Truth Teller Feller »  

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
― John Adams
 
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Gnads
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #3 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:39pm
 
Why should traffic or stop signs in Victoria or Anywhere in the country have to be written in Chinese?

The symbolism is international.

Did he have the GPS on Chinese language?

Anyway if he can't read or speak English he shouldn't have been allowed to drive here.

I wonder how he communicates with his employer?
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"When you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It's only painful and difficult for others. The same applies when you are stupid." ~ Ricky Gervais
 
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bellamor
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #4 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm
 
greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:05pm:


Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"
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John Smith
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #5 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm
 
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.
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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.
 
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Setanta
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #6 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm
 
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?
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greggerypeccary
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #7 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:56pm
 
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:05pm:


Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"


It means that the shop sells CDs and videos.

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Jasin
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #8 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:56pm
 
Gnads wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 3:39pm:
Why should traffic or stop signs in Victoria or Anywhere in the country have to be written in Chinese?

The symbolism is international.

Did he have the GPS on Chinese language?

Anyway if he can't read or speak English he shouldn't have been allowed to drive here.

I wonder how he communicates with his employer?


Chinese can't drive. Huge population with a low DNA variation count in their gene pool. Come to Australia and cause all sorts of problems on the road.
I get paid to drive in one of my jobs. I'm forever having to watch out for stupid Chinese in Hire Cars touring around and having no idea - even worse, HAVING NO CARE AT ALL!!!
The Government allows B-Grade Driving Nations to drive here.  Roll Eyes
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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
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greggerypeccary
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #9 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:59pm
 
Setanta wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm:
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?


How can someone who is banned answer your question?

I'm curious.

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Jasin
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #10 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:59pm
 
greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:59pm:
Setanta wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm:
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?


How can someone who is banned answer your question?

I'm curious.



You're an idiot
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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
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greggerypeccary
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #11 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 8:02pm
 
Setanta wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm:
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?


How can someone who is banned answer your question?

I'm curious.
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Jasin
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #12 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 8:09pm
 
greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 8:02pm:
Setanta wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm:
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?


How can someone who is banned answer your question?

I'm curious.


You're still an idiot!  Grin
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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
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greggerypeccary
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #13 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 8:13pm
 
Setanta wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm:
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?


Question too hard for you?

How can someone who is banned answer your question?

I'm curious.
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crocodile
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Re: The Driver Who Couldn't Read Road Signs
Reply #14 - Mar 25th, 2019 at 11:01pm
 
greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 8:13pm:
Setanta wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 7:52pm:
John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 6:31pm:
bellamor wrote on Mar 25th, 2019 at 4:47pm:
Oh wow, I can't definitely read this sign, does it mean "STOP?"



it doesn't matter that you can't read it. The shape and colour tell you it's a stop sign.


Sarcasm not your thing?


Question too hard for you?

How can someone who is banned answer your question?

I'm curious.

You're a fukkwit too.
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Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes.
 
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